
Happy festivities everyone, your best friend Sara here! Navratri, Durga Pooja, Dusshera, Ayudh Pooja …what a time of the year, for celebrations throughout the country!
As we wrap up this 9 day period of much awaited festival, here is a perfect read by 9 year old Ishaan Satheesh from Chennai, summarizing how people from different parts celebrate.
Mahisha was a deceitful demon and he was powerful. He was the son of Rambha and great grandson of Kashyap.
All the gods were troubled by Mahisha, they went to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva for help since they are the powerful gods. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva combined together and created a destructive female power, known as Durga or -Mahishasuramardini. Durga and Mahisha fought for nine nights (called as Navarathri literally meaning nine nights). On the tenth day of war between Mahisha and Durga, Durga wins.
In North India, they celebrate it as Ram-leela wherein big puppets of ten- headed Ravana will be killed by Rama with bow and arrow lit with fire. In East India, it is observed as Bijoyo Dashomi. They immerse Durga’s idol in the nearby river or ocean. In West India, both the goddess Durga and Lord Rama are admired for their victory over evil. Fasting and prayers at temples are common. They wear a dress called Garba and dance with colored sticks, known as Dandiya. In south India, people keep colorful figurines known as golu. The festival was celebrated at Vijayanagara historically for Goddess Durga (The warrior Goddess).
We are celebrating Dussehra from 17th Oct to 26 th Oct’2020 this year.
Golu will be kept in a ladder like structure with broader steps. The steps can be 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 or 11 depending on the number of idols.
We have kept Golu in a 5 step-ladder at my place, in Chennai. I have kept the idols of Durga, Ashtalakshmi, Saraswathi, Dhasavadaram, Rama, Krishna and many more. Panagam(sweet jaggery water) and Pulses (Sundal) will be offered to god. We invite friends and relatives to our home. Guests will be served Panagam(sweet jaggery water) and Pulses (Sundal). Devotional songs or slokas will be recited everyday in front of the golu.
While the guest leaves, they will be given thamboolam. Thamboolam contains betel leaves, betel nuts, turmeric powder, kumkum, mirror, comb, glass bangles, mehendi, flowers for ladies and gifts for kids. It is considered auspicious to give thamboolam to more number of people.
On the night of the tenth day aurati is taken to indicate the victory of gods and goddesses and the idols are put down to indicate rest. On the following day the idols are packed and kept inside. Thus, ends the Dussehra festival for the year.
Wishing you all a happy and auspicious Dussehra! On this special and auspicious day of Dussehra, as we all celebrate valour and courage, the triumph of good over evil. I wish you success and happiness in everything you do.
Hey, your friend Sara here again! Enjoyed reading?
Do you want to find an easy read to explain the significance of Durga Puja to your child and get them interested in the festival?
Pick up a copy of Durga And The Demon: Indian folk tales by Bookosmia for just INR 49/-https://www.amazon.in/…/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_M0cIFbC7JV8QS
7 Replies to “‘One festival, many traditions’ by 9 year old Ishaan Satheesh from Chennai”
S Mohan
Very well writing Master Ishaan. God bless you
Srishankar R
Nicely written Ishaan. Keep rocking…
G Anandanarayanan
Superb. My appreciation to you dear Ishan. Lord Durga bless you
SIVASAILAM
Very nicely written. My blessings and may Goddess Durga and Saraswati Bless you
S Ganesan
Super Ishu. Very nicely narrated. Wish you best of luck. God bless you
Sanjivi Natarajan
Truly Impressed Ishaan. Appreciate your detailed research and efforts in knowing the details in the many celebrations of this one festival and it is informative too. Good job and love to read more from you. Kudos.
Narendra G
Our culture and traditions through the length and breadth of India very nicely narrated in a simple manner. Congratulations, young man. May the Gods bestow on you all that you richly deserve and more.